Appendix

Commissioning Ceremonies for Pastoral

Councils

COMMISSIONING CEREMONY 1
Following the Homily:

Questioning of new and continuing Pastoral Council members

Pastor: Are you willing to accept the responsibility of being a Parish
Pastoral Councillor for the next (twelve months/two years)?
Councillor: I am.
Pastor: Will you strive to be sensitive to the vision and ideas of others so
that
you may truly be representative of the parish community?
Councillor: I will.
Pastor: Will you speak boldly so the voice of the people may be heard in
the Church?
Councillor: I will.
Pastor: Will you lead us by word and example in the Christian way?
Councillor: I will, with the help of God.
Pastor: Then may God, who has given you this call through this
community, bring that call to fulfilment in you.

Prayer of Commissioning
All: Heavenly Father, you have chosen us to be your people
and have gathered us to live in this parish.
Be pleased with all our efforts to love you and serve you
in word, worship and work.
Give your blessing to these parishioners
whom we now appoint as members of our Parish Pastoral
Council. Let them be pleasing to you.
Guide their activities by the light of your Spirit,
and help them to work for your honour and glory
and for the benefit of all your people.
May they be open to your word.
May they lead us faithfully and well in service to the world.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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COMMISSIONING CEREMONY 2
Following the Homily:

Choir: Antiphon (sung)

The Lord is my light, my light and salvation.
In God I trust, in God I trust. (Taize)

Pastor: I invite those who have been chosen to serve our community
as members of the Parish Pastoral Council to come forward.

Names of Councillors are read out as they move towards

their places on the sanctuary.

Pastor: Each of you has been called from this parish community
to serve as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Do you accept the responsibilities of parish leadership
we are placing upon you?

Councillors: I do.

Pastor: Will you strive to form yourself more into the likeness of Christ
so that you will be better equipped to serve His people?

Councillors: I will.

Pastor: May God bless you in your resolution and sustain you in your
efforts as you carry out your part in the mission of the Church.

Choir: The Lord is my light, my light and salvation.

In God I trust, in God I trust.

Pastor: (Holding a lighted candle)

Christ is the light of the world.

The task of Pastoral Councillors is to walk in the light
and to share the light of Christ with others.

With this gift of light, I send you out as missionaries.

May this candle be a reminder to you of our mission
to let the light of Christ shine out for all to see.

The Pastor presents a Candle to each Councillor saying:

“Christ is the light of the World”

or “Let your light shine before all”

Councillors: (turning towards the congregation)

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 We humbly accept the confidence you have placed in us
and acknowledge our responsibility.
 to work with our Pastor to foster the mission of the Church
in our Parish and Diocese and build a better Christian
community
 to be conscious of the needs of our parishioners and strive to
make Christ present for all, mindful of His example as one
who served.
We ask your prayerful support, encouragement and honest
criticism as we seek to serve this community with enthusiasm
and commitment.

Pastor: Let us show our support for our Parish Pastoral Council.
(applause)

Invite Councillors to return to their seats.

Pastor: I now invite those who have completed their term of office
on our Parish Pastoral Council to come forward.

Names of outgoing members are read out as they come

forward.

Pastor: On behalf of our parish community, I would like you to know how
much we have appreciated your contribution to the work of the
Parish Pastoral Council over the past N. years. Please accept
this token of our appreciation and may you continue to respond
generously to your baptismal call by being of service to others.

Pastor hands each person some gift (e.g. a plaque or certificate)

Pastor: Let us show our appreciation of the service given by the former
members of the Council. (applause)

All are invited to return to their seats.

Note: The Prayers of Intercession might include a prayer

for Pastoral Council members and their families for
the grace to lead with dignity and courage.
A prayer of appreciation for the work of the outgoing
members might also be included.

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COMMISSIONING CEREMONY 3
Following the Homily:

Pastor: I invite those who have been chosen to serve our community
as members of the Parish Pastoral Council to come forward.

Pastoral Council members come forward and stand on the

sanctuary or in front of the altar.

Pastor: You have been called from this parish community to serve us
as members of the Parish Pastoral Council. Do you accept the
responsibilities we are placing on you?

Councillors: I/we do.

Pastor: May God bless you in your resolution and sustain you in your
efforts as you carry out your part in the mission of the Church.

Councillors: Amen.

Pastor: Let us pray:

Gracious God,
You have chosen us to be your people,
and have gathered us to live in this parish.
Be pleased with all our efforts to love you
and serve you in word, worship and work.

Give your blessing to these parishioners

(N. and N.) whom we now appoint as members
of our Pastoral Council and let them be
pleasing to you.

Guide their activities by the light of your Spirit.

Help them to work for your honour and glory
and for the benefit of all your people.

May they be open to your Word.

May they lead us faithfully and well
in service to the world.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Pastoral Councillors return to their seats.

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